Working with Partners

Through our direct experience and through conversations with the leaders of the World Bank, the New Village movement in Korea, and others, GP Connect has learned that while CDD programs can be effective, they are very difficult to launch since they involve changing the mind set and practices of an entire community. This is why our partnerships with organizations like Service For Peace (SFP) are so important.

SFP organizes periodic Global Peacemaker (GPM) programs, in which international volunteers of many races and nationalities work in a community for a period of 10-14 days. These programs have a very significant impact.  By attracting the curiosity, interest and active involvement of community members, they can be effective launching points for community driven development programs. The ongoing involvement of local GPC staff members, combined with intermittent GPM programs, then keeps the momentum going as the community makes plan for its own future development.

GPC is committed to the idea that effective community development has to be community driven but we provide ongoing assistance and impetus to community driven development programs by organizing service programs during which volunteers (including members of the community) complete a specific project that has been prioritized by the community

This strategic approach of combining ongoing community development projects with intensive periods of involvement by international volunteers holds the promise of being able to impact the field of community development.